T-CURX Acquires Pantherna Therapeutics to Accelerate In Vivo CAR-T Development

Problem The field of CAR-T cell therapy has shown immense promise in treating various cancers, yet significant challenges remain in its clinical translation, particularly for in vivo applications. Traditional ex vivo CAR-T approaches, while effective, are limited by manufacturing complexity and high costs. In vivo CAR-T strategies, which aim to engineer T cells directly within the patient's body, offer a potential solution but require advanced delivery systems and efficient gene transfer technologies.

Solution Munich-based T-CURX, a leader in non-viral, transposon-based CAR-T therapies, has acquired Pantherna Therapeutics, a German biotech specializing in mRNA engineering and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery technologies. This strategic move aims to combine T-CURX's expertise in clinical translation of non-viral CAR-T therapies with Pantherna's proprietary mRNA and LNP platforms.

"With this acquisition, we are bringing together two highly complementary technology platforms and teams," said Ulf Grawunder, CEO and co-founder of T-CURX. "We are taking a decisive step forward to accelerate the clinical development of differentiated, next-generation in vivo CAR-T therapies."

Pantherna's LNP technology is expected to enhance the delivery of CAR-T components directly into the patient's cells, while their mRNA expertise will enable the transient expression of CAR molecules. This combination is designed to overcome the limitations of current in vivo CAR-T approaches, offering a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to ex vivo methods.

Results The acquisition results in several key advancements:

- **Technology Integration**: T-CURX now integrates both CAR-T and LNP technologies, positioning itself as the first European biotech firm to do so. This integration allows for seamless development across the entire value chain, from discovery to clinical validation. - **Expanded Portfolio**: The combined entity manages a portfolio of 16 patent families, protecting its technologies and assets. This intellectual property will be crucial in maintaining a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving CAR-T market. - **Operational Growth**: The acquisition brings the total employee count to 35, creating a more robust team to drive innovation and clinical development. - **Clinical Focus**: The partnership aims to expedite the clinical translation of in vivo CAR-T therapies, particularly in cancer and other indications. This focus is supported by T-CURX's existing track record in non-viral CAR-T therapies and Pantherna's delivery capabilities.

"Joining T-CURX is a natural evolution of our collaboration," added Ansgar Santel, CEO of Pantherna Therapeutics. "This integration allows us to address both stable and transient cell engineering strategies based on powerful and proven proprietary platforms."

Implications for Engineers and Manufacturing Professionals This acquisition marks a significant development in the CAR-T landscape, particularly for those focused on in vivo approaches. The integration of LNP and mRNA technologies with CAR-T therapy could lead to more efficient and scalable manufacturing processes. Engineers and manufacturing professionals should pay close attention to how this integration unfolds, as it could set a new standard for in vivo CAR-T development.

### Key Facts and Implications: - T-CURX acquires Pantherna Therapeutics to combine CAR-T and LNP technologies. - The acquisition aims to accelerate clinical translation of in vivo CAR-T therapies. - Combined portfolio includes 16 patent families, protecting key technologies. - Total employee count increases to 35, strengthening the development team. - This move positions T-CURX as a leading player in the next-generation CAR-T market.